Human capacity for language acquisition is not strictly compartmentalized, with one acquisitional mechanism for the native language and others totally unrelated to it; rather, it consists of a unified mechanism flexible enough to handle various differences in external settings. This learning system operates on the formal properties of the…

In this study 27 third graders and 27 sixth graders were given varying degrees of practice in sorting salient, categorized word lists. The purpose of the practice conditions was to encourage different levels of grouping strategies in a subsequent free recall task using similar categorized materials. Children in a Materials Only condition were…

A study examined the efficacy of the keyword method of vocabulary instruction by comparing it with five methods designed to increase semantic processing of the definitions of the vocabulary words. Subjects in all five experiments were college students. In the first three experiments, recall of the definitions from the vocabulary words was the…

The characteristics and major events of early American science are discussed in this paper. The philosophical influences and scientific practices of prominent scientists in early American time periods are examined and referenced in terms of their orientation to inquiry-oriented methods. Specific descriptions of the scientific accomplishments of…

Current issues in educational communications and technology are addressed in this collection of 48 papers, in which research reports predominate. Topics discussed include factors related to the learner, e.g., field dependence/independence, learning strategies, information processing, spatial ability, cognitive style, and cognitive strategies.…

Speculative philosophical methodology was used to generate ideas about ways science teachers might help students recognize and unlearn erroneous notions about science and replace them with sound new science concepts without lessening students' intellectual self-confidence or alienating their receptivity to further science learning. The research…

Free-form games are applicable to a range of problem-solving situations. This document discusses gaming as a procedure for organized study of the complex problems entailed in confrontations and crises. The major focus of the booklet is on the various forms of this game type, the kinds of problems to which it is best adapted, and some approaches to…

This UNESCO newsletter contains six sections concerned with various aspects of population education. Section 1 deals with workshops for monitoring and evaluating population education programs. Section 2 evaluates the programs of six Asia-Pacific countries (China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand).…

Problem solving is an essential skill in the study of genetics. Genetics problems have traditionally come from laboratory activities and textbook situations. Recently computer-based problems have been available to complement these standard sources. This report focusses on the use of computer-based problems in the study of genetics. Discriptions…

The value of accelerated learning techniques developed by the national organization for Suggestive Accelerated Learning Techniques (SALT) was tested in a study using Administrative Policy students taking the capstone course in the Eastern Washington University School of Business. Educators have linked the brain and how it functions to various…

This study compared the effects of an elaborated unit of instruction and a hierarchical unit on students' online processing activities, efficiency of encoding new information, and facility in solving problems. Participants were six education graduate students rated as novices on the to-be-learned content--a unit on the principles of photography.…

A review of literature on the subject of student motivation identified five areas which could be used to increase motivation among students: (1) using an incentive program; (2) using "fun" or "unusual" activities to motivate students; (3) goal setting; (4) students motivating other students; and (5) using parents to motivate students to learn.…

Theme study is student centered and emphasizes a coherent and holistic approach to learning through the study of broad themes rather than compartmentalized subject areas. This book explains what is meant by a theme studies approach to education and illustrates how it works with case studies--descriptions of theme studies that were conducted at a…

A description is given of an instructional model used effectively in an inservice teacher program on classroom management. Based on pedagogical theory, the model consists of four steps. The initial step involves teachers personally in the problems, issues, and topics addressed by the program. Step two, concept formation, consists of strategies…

Strategies actually used by good and poor spellers at different grade levels were examined. The subjects included 20 students from Grades 3 and 4, 22 from Grades 7 and 8, and 31 college undergraduates. Each individual made a list of 10 words misspelled from prepared lists of difficult words. The students "thought aloud" as they studied, and…